Community-Based Networks

The Office of University Outreach and Engagement participates in a number of community-based networks across the state, each representing a social impact focus area, such as economic development, children and families, and social equity. Each network listed here has its own structure, governance, and criteria for participation. If you are interested in finding out more about one of these networks, including potential opportunities for participation, please use the contact information provided. The network contact, as well as the contact of an affiliated participant from University Outreach and Engagement (UOE), has been provided.

The REI Center at the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development is building a new economic development ecosystem, leveraging higher education assets to support the co-creation, co-application, and dissemination of innovative economic development strategies that promise to yield high-growth entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic innovation throughout the state of Michigan.

The Power of We Consortium (PWC) draws on the collective social capital and diversity of over 250 human services, nonprofit, governmental, faith-based, and business sector stakeholders in the greater Lansing area to promote systems reform and achieve positive results for their communities.

Ingham Great Start is a coalition of human service agencies, families and other partners working together to ensure every child from birth to eight in Ingham County has access to a universal, comprehensive and collaborative system of community-based early childhood programs, services and supports.

UOE Contact: Rex LaMore Director, Center for Community and Economic Development

Healthy Flint Research Coordinating Center

The Healthy Flint Research Coordinating Center (HFRCC) is a partnership between Flint community-based organizations, Michigan State University, University of Michigan-Flint, and University of Michigan to help address the public health challenges in Flint, including a focus on the economic, environmental, behavioral, and physical health of Flint residents.

The HFRCC will serve as a central coordinating center for research where individual researchers and community organizations can connect and partner through the center to achieve their goals.

Facilitated by a core team from MSU's Office of University Outreach and Engagement and a network of Flint-based community and grassroots organizations, Neighborhoods Without Borders has brought people from all sectors together in a grassroots and community effort to significantly improve the overall quality of life in Flint neighborhoods and to dismantle systemic racism.

NCERA 216 is an interstate initiative that encourages and fosters multidisciplinary research, education, and outreach efforts on Latinos and immigrants in the region. It seeks to establish and maintain regional linkages among researchers and outreach specialists, promote community development, and develop plans to identify and obtain funding for single- and multi-state projects relating to Latinos and immigrants. Learn more information about NCERA 216.

The TRC is composed of a broad network of independent community partners and researchers working collaboratively to address research, practice, and policy issues relevant for the healthy development of young American Indian/Alaska Native children.

Urban Learning and Leadership Collaborative (Detroit)

A collaboration of several universities and community organizations in Detroit, focused on fostering new activity in the 100 blocks that make up the Hope Village area in Detroit. They partner with many university and community organizations.

DAPCEP is a nonprofit organization that integrates the talents and resources of parents, community groups, area schools, industry, colleges, and universities to provide historically underrepresented youth with innovative educational programming in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.

The Michigan Corporate Relations Network

The Michigan Corporate Relations Network (MCRN) is a statewide university network designed to create partnerships that will connect Michigan's corporations to critical university assets to help promote innovative research and grow Michigan's economy. MCRN is currently accepting applications to its Small Company Innovation Program, which provides funding for companies to complete research at a university. Business-CONNECT can help you find the right researchers and facilities at MSU to apply for funds to move your company's project forward.